Gillie suit pics - more time to kill

[Dr. Ed Ashby]

Still killing time until my flight. Here's a few pictures of some of the Gillie Suits I use.


First, here's a closeup (from 3 feet) photo taken in Georgia.

 


Here's one in the canes; camo gloves removed, to make it easier.

 


This one's in a tree stand at the edge of an open field.

 


And then one in a more the tropical area.

 

These are all home-made suits, and are among the earlier attempts. Getting better at making them with each new attempt.

Ed

[bm22]

do you use wide strips of burlap or do you pull out the indivual strings in the burlap.

they look awesome.

[Dr. Ed Ashby]

Neither. These were all made with yarn, most of which came from WalMart!

Ed

[Islandlongbow]

What are you talking about Doc? All I see are a bunch of trees   :D   Seriously... Great job!  Any chance of some close up photos? How you sewed them?

Thanks,
Jerry

[Dr. Ed Ashby]

CLOSE UP! The top photo is taken from three feet! All are from less than ten yards!

Jerry, there's NO sewing at all. It's all done with netting laced together with yarn, and then yarn tied to the netting. The hard part was learning what it was I need to accomplish, and how to do it.

Well, have to take that back. The hat is covered with a piece of netting too, and attaching that to the hat required tacking with twelve stitches.

Ed

[Voodoofire1]

WoW, That's pretty good there Doc. the first pic kinda looks like swamp thing.

[W.Tim]

great pic's

[Black Gold]

can we see a close-up of the suit with a white background to see detail?

[Dr. Ed Ashby]

Ok, here's a few more. However, there's more to getting the camo effect right than just throwing on a bunch of material or threads. that's why it too two long articles to explain the why and how of building one.

First, here's a photo from a few yards away, out in the middle of an opening in the woods. This particular suit is entirely of yarns from WalMart. It was a hasty job for a Georgia deer hunt. Note that I have a picture-print camo tee shirt on too; something to cover the arms. It sticks out like a sore thumb! The sleeves should have been covered with a few short 'tufts' of yarn too. just didn't get around to it.

Ed

 


This one's from 4 feet, standing in the edge of the opening.

 


Here's the front of the suit.

 


And the back.

 


Side view of the hat's left side (modeled by Mr. pumpkin head)

 


Here's the simple face mask I use with it

 


Some of my suits have a few burlap 'leaves' added in. These are cut from camo burlap, and can be used either camo side out or natural color side out.

 


Prior to destruction of my knees I was never too impressed with camo clothing. Couldn't notice that it allowed me to stalk any better than just subdued colors in a broken pattern. After I couldn't bend, stoop and squat to use available cover - becoming, basically, a stand-up stalker - I started looking for a way to help me get close. The Gillie suit works better than any camo I've ever encountered. Took a bit of using it, and practicing with ti on, before I became convinced that it didn't hinder my ability to shoot any.

Hope the photos help a bit. Now, I'm out of here. heading off for a month or so of hunting in the outback. See ya'll whenever!

Ed

[bowdude]

Luck to you on your walkabout Doc.

[wmcclendon]

Quick question if I may...where did you get the mesh from for the base for this?  I've always had trouble trying to find something to use for that.  I've found some nice nets, but they are usually white and won't die at all.

[bluegrassbowhunter]

Originally posted by wmcclendon:
Quick question if I may...where did you get the mesh from for the base for this?  I've always had trouble trying to find something to use for that.  I've found some nice nets, but they are usually white and won't die at all.

An  waterfowl decoy bag works real good...

[Dr. Ed Ashby]

All packed and waiting for the plane! The netting shown came from a military surplus supply in Aussie. However, I have about a dozen Gillie Suits now (keep building them, and each gets better than the one before, as I learn more about the best way to make them). I've used everything from minnow seines to nets intended for protecting fruit trees from birds. Had to use a beige lace tablecloth on one! OL got some great beige colored netting from a fabric and crafts shop in Roswell, NM. I made one for a friend using a piece of burlap camo cloth as the base (but it was harder to use than the netting; not much room to thread the yarn through). Almost anything net material can be made to work, as long as the color is acceptable.

Ed

[Gerardo]

wow got me all exited about ghille suits

[Dave Bowers]

Yeah..I cant wait til I get mine. Hopefully next week?

[Divinecedar]

That is an awesome Ghillie Suit! I built one last year and it looks good, but definitely not as sharp as those. I couldn't find any netting, so I hot-glued strips of camouflage burlap to a green sweatshirt.

[Divinecedar]

I also took a few leaves from an autumn wreath and glued on the suit as well. Not bad for a 3-4 hr. project.

[BaldingEagle]

I have a Cabela's leafy suit.  Do you all ever use one of those as a base and modify it at all?
BE

[mrgreenhead]

Nice pic now my wheels are turning . I think you could make a suit with some laundry bags and a latch hook tool and yarn . Hmm a new prodject for aftr hawkeye.

[CheapShot]

A friend of mine found some mesh netting at the local Hobby lobby. He is in the process of making a gillie for this season. I'm going to give it a try as well.